Ventilating device.



G. E. KNOWLES, DEC'D.

n A mowuspxncurmx VENTILATKNG DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED OCT- 2|i 19x3.

fatentefi Ean. 30, 191.?

ATTONES position and GEORGE E. KNOWLES, 0F

NEW YORK, N. Y.; HATTIE A. KNOWLES EXECU'IBIX 0F SAID GEORGE E. KNOWLES, DECEASED.

VENTILATING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. so, rare.

Application filed October 21, 1913. Serial No. 796,384.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE E. KNOWLES, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of New York city, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful, Improvements in Ventilating Devices, of .which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improved device for use at the outlet of a ventilating passage or duct, and more particularly to means of this kind suitable for insertion in floors or walls of theaters, lecture halls, churches and other public buildings wherein free ventilation is desirable.

The principal objectof the invention is to provide a simple, reliable device wherein the volume of air or other fluid to be delivered from the end of a suitable passage or duct may be gover ned at will by suitable adjustment of a movable portion whereby any given adjustment may be preserved by locking the movable member to the base or stationary member; said movable member comprising a valve by means of which the air may be entirely shut off if desired.

Referring to the drawings which form a part of this specification, Figure 1 is a side view of my improved device, a portion of the top or bell being broken away to disclose the interior construction, the bell being shown in its highest adjusted-position and in locked relation to the base. Fig. 2 is an exterior view showing the bell in its lowest illustrates the device as closed the escape of air therefrom. view on line 3-3 to prevent Fig. 3 is a cross sectional of Fig. 1.

in the form illustrated, the device is embodied in a single compact article of manufacture, easily shipped and consisting of two castings held together in locked relation by a bolt. The construction could be made of sheet metal, but I prefer to use a casting, for the reason that these devices are often located in the floor under the seats of orchestra chairs, etc., where the top is often subjected to blows by the feet of persons entering and leaving their seats, and for this reason, the tops should be formed of a stifl, hard material rather than a thin, sheet metal construction which might bend or become dented. I

A, indicates the base portion which comprises a lower flange A. and a circular latdrawn preferably in threaded endv of the permit the bolt T to pass therethrough erally extending fla'ge A the flange 'A being inserted in a circular opening in the floor in open communication with the ducts which communicate With the air inlets, and the flange A resting on the top edge of the floor and provided with holes A by means of which the base portion is secured firmly to the floor.

Extending above the flange formed integral therewith are a upwardly arranged A and number of extending brackets B which are circumferentially on a circle vertical alinement with the circle formed by the base flange A, and formed in each bracket is a series of stepped or graduated notches C, D and E, disposed at gradually increasing heights above the flange A and spaced circumferentially from each other.

To reinforce the brackets B and also to form a point of attachment for the adjustable member of the device, I form a spider having arms F united at their junction by a hub G, provided with a hole H at the center which is threaded to receive the bolt T. Mounted on the base portion is a bell or hood J, the inner diameter .of which is preferably made of greater diameter than that of the circle on which the brackets B are arranged and substantially in the relative proportions shown in the drawings.

Formed integral with the hood are a number of inwardly extending ribs K, hav ing depending portions K and adapted to engage within the stepped notches C, D and E of the brackets to vary the height of the hood above the base. The depending projections K engage the interior surfaces of the brackets and thus keep the hood properly centered. The thickness of the ribs K is slightly less than the width of the notches C, D, E, respectively, to permit the bottom ends K to seat in the bottoms of said notches as indicated in Fig. 1. A hole L is provided in the top of the hood J an screw into the hub G. The highest portion of the brackets B is equal to or less than the distance from the underside of the top of the hood to the bottom edge thereof, to permit the bottom edge J of the hood to rest on the top surface of the flange A when it is desired to shut the air ofl entirely. as follows: Tore- The device is adjusted The hood po-rtion connected with said strict the flow of air through the device, the

bolt I is unscrewed a distance sufiicient to permit the hood to be raised from engage ment with the top notches, as indicated in Fig. l, and by rotating the hood a short distance Corresponding to the distance that the notches D are spaced from the notches E, the hood may be lowered to cause the ribs to engage with the notches D and the bolt I may then be screwed down to hold the parts firmly together. The same process may be repeated if it is desired to further restrict the outlet by turning the hood so as to cause the brackets K to seat in the notches C. If it is desired to shut off the air entirely, the hood may be turned sufliciently to bring the brackets K to a position opposite the air outlet openings M, the portions K depending below the flange A and engaging the inner edge thereof to prevent lateral movement, and the bottom edge J resting on the top of the flange A to form a complete closure of the valve. In using these valves, a number of them are usually placed in a row' spaced apart from each other about six feet, more or less, and in communication with a main supply duct. It is, therefore, necessary to restrict the air more where the devices are located nearer to the main air.ducts than where they are located a greater distance away, in order to cause the air to be evenly distributed throughout a given area. J serves to deflect the air and cause it to flow from the device downwardly to the floor before being distributed, thus causing the air to flow in a mild current from the device for distribution in the room.

Various changes may be made in the form of my device without departing from the scope of the invention and I do not limit myself to the details herein shown and described.

What I claim is 1. A ventilating device for buildings or the like comprising a ring portion adapted to serve as a base and provided with brackets integral with said ring and extending laterally from positions adjacent the periphery thereof, each bracket being provided with a plurality of, steps located at different distances from said ring member, a hood portion provided with ribs for engaging the steps of said brackets, said hood portion being movable into different positions in order to cause each of said ribs to be shifted from one step to another, and a clamping member ring member and with said hood portion for holding the same together.

2. A ventilating device for buildings comprising a base member having a laterally its periphery extending flange and a plurality of upwardly extending brackets, each bracket being provided with a plurality of steps arranged at different levels from said laterally extending flange, a hood portion provided with members to rest upon said steps for the purpose of controlling the height of the hood relative to the base and thus adjusting the space therebetween for purposes of ventilation, and a fastening member connected with the proximate center of said base and with the proximate center of said hood for clamping said hood upon said base.

3. A ventilating device for buildings or the like comprising a base portion provided with an opening and with a spider bridged across said opening for permitting ventilation therethrough, said base portion being provided with a plurality of brackets integral with it, each bracket having a plurality of steps extending to diil'ercnt distances from said base portion, said brackets being spaced apart, a hood portion provided with a plurality of surfaces disposed adjacent its periphery for engaging some of said steps in order to support said hood at points disposed adjacent the periphery thereof, so ventilation between said hood and said base portion, and said hood being adjustable bodily in relation to said base by shi'lting said hood so as to bring its supporting surfaces out of engagement with one group of steps and into engagement with another group of steps, and means for locking said hood and said base portion when said hood is thus adjusted relatively to said base portion.

A ventilating device for buildings or the like comprising a hood provided with a plurality of supporting surfaces disposed near and spaced apartl. a. base memer having a general annular form and provided near its periphery with a plurality of supporting surfaces disposed at diliercnt distances from the general, plane of the base and adapted to be engaged by said supporting surfaces of the hood in order to support said hood upon said base at a distance from the centers of said hood and said base, the supporting surfaces of said base being spaced apart in order to permit the passage of a ventilating fluid between said base and said hood, and means for locking said hood and said base together.

Signed at New York city, in the county of New York, and State of New York, this 20th day of May, A. D. 1913.

GEORGE E. KNOlVLES.

Witnesses:

FRANK M. AsnLEY, W M. I. COHEN. 

